A new campaign shaped by Wrexham children encouraging parents to give up smoking launched today (18th September 2014). 'Quit for you. Quit for them' is part of a programme of activity aimed at reducing smoking prevalence in Wrexham.

A campaign aimed at young girls called 'Girls with Dreams' encouraging them not to take up smoking is also already underway, led by Social Change UK. 

'Quit for you, Quit for them' is based on findings from an independent study undertaken by Social Change UK and commissioned by Public Health Wales which looked at smoking rates of 11 and 12 year old girls in North Wales.

It found that if parents smoke, children are more likely to start and girls wanted their parents to quit smoking, but were too scared to speak up.

Several messages were developed by girls across Wrexham and these have been used to create an advertising campaign.

Andrew Jones is the Executive Director of Public Health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, "Our evidence shows that children worry about the effect that smoking will have on their parents’ health, but many are scared of confronting them.

"Children who helped us shape the campaign told us that they wanted to be able to use digital communication to share messages with parents and relatives encouraging them to quit. This campaign will signpost local cessation services available to them."

Eight girls from Grango High in Wrexham are featured in this bilingual campaign holding up the messages. Parents who sign up for an appointment with Stop Smoking Wales the specialist cessation service via the Facebook page will be entered into a prize draw to win a family holiday.

Kelly Evans, Director at Social Change UK said: "We really enjoyed co-creating this campaign with the girls. They were very clear what messages they wanted to send home to parents and relatives and we were keen to make sure their voice was heard". 

This campaign is part of a series of interventions now underway in Wrexham. Schools and youth groups in the area are also being encouraged to increase participation in outdoor activities, and measures to control the sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s are being developed.

The Smoke Free Wrexham group are now working with businesses and the public sector to create more smoke free spaces and buildings.

The "Quit for them. Quit for you" campaign complements Stop Smoking Wales’ biggest campaign to date. Throughout September and October Stop Smoking Wales are encouraging smokers to quit as part of Stoptober and Don’t Be The One campaign which is currently screening on TV.

Stop Smoking Wales is offering support throughout the twenty eight day stop smoking challenge and in addition there is specialist smoking cessation support available from local pharmacies.